Justin Decapio
Auburn, NY--Cayuga County Sheriff's deputies this morning tracked a man suspected of breaking into cars in Sennett and Auburn for 16 blocks before arresting him.

At 3:30 a.m., Cayuga County Sheriff's deputies got a call from a resident on South Hunter Avenue, which is the border between Auburn and Sennett, reporting that a young man was trying to get into a car, said Cayuga County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Beck.

Deputies and Auburn police followed the suspect's footprints through the snow and traced them to the scene of several attempted car break-ins on Parkwood Lane in Sennett, he said.

They tracked the suspect for 16 blocks following his footprints from Parkwood Lane through backyards, over fences, behind sheds and through Hoops Park, Beck said. The footprints were found around 40 vehicles, although it appears only six to 12 were entered, he said.

Police also received calls from residents in the town of Sennett and Auburn along East Genesee Street and side streets reporting someone trying to break into cars, said Lt. Michael Wellauer.

The suspect, soaked from his trek in the snow, entered the Colonial Laundromat on East Genesee Street, Beck said. He took off his pants and threw them in a garbage can, the deputy said. The suspect then put his sweatshirt and scarf in a dryer, before going outside dressed in a coat and the pajamas he had on underneath his pants.

Police have identified two items taken from cars and are asking for the public's help in identifying the others. Anyone missing items from their car, or who might have information, is asked to call Beck at 294-8136 or 253-1222.